Second Amendment Rights

"The right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect oneself from tyranny in government."
                                    -Thomas Jefferson

Ron Paul understands this concept, and strongly supports the continued restoration of rights to law-abiding gun owners.  Without the second amendment protecting our inalienable rights to life, liberty and property, we would have no way of preventing anyone from taking away those rights.  And, while most people tend to overlook it, the Militia clause is equally important, as it protects the rights of the states, keeping federal power in check. Our founding fathers included this Amendment for a reason, and it is up to us to ensure that it stays alive.

Hypothetical Q & A

How much control should the federal government have over private trade?
Is it the President's place to create American Jobs?
As President, how would you deal with Wall Street protesters?
If Federal Loans for college are eliminated, will there be other ways for poor students to receive aid?
 Do you agree with Cain's plan for a flat tax?

Q: How much control should the federal government have over private trade?
A: As little as possible.  The free market is one of the features that built America, and is something that we take for granted everyday.  The role of government is to protect the rights of its citizens, not to intrude in economic affairs.

Energy

With conflict raging in the middle east, the energy sources that we have relied on for so long are in jeopardy.  High taxes on imports cause working families to have to pay more for necessities, such as gasoline.  Texas Representative Ron Paul and President Barack Obama, surprisingly, have similar views on this topic.  Paul, as always, defends the free market and favors as little government interference overseas as possible.  He plans to reduce the import of oil from the middle east and use our own plentiful sources here on our own soil.  Obama claims to support this view as well, planning to shift to renewable energy if reelected. 

Abortion

Before entering politics, Dr. Paul had been the local Obstetrician of his town in Texas.  If any baby was  born in that neighborhood, chances are he was the one who delivered it.  Throughout his many years, he had delivered over 4,000 babies in total.  That is why the thought of the gift of life being willingly thrown away has always shocked and appalled him.
During  Paul's medical residency, he was unfortunate enough to witness an abortion on a late pregnancy in which a 2-3 pound crying baby was placed in a bucket and left to die.  This has left a serious impression on him, and compels him to argue pro-life.  However, he has not let this taint his libertarian view that personal choices should not be regulated by the federal government.  While he feels that life should be protected, he knows that it would not be up to the President to decide. In other words, "We don't need a federal abortion police" (Paul, 28 Nov 2007)

Planned Parenthood, a program began to educate teens about the joys and responsibilities that come with being parents, is a major opposition to Paul.  Abortion is encouraged, and alternative options are rarely, if ever, discussed.  Obama, like most liberals, feels that a woman's right to choose is more important than the baby's right to live, and plans to make abortions more available to those who want them as part of his healthcare reform.

Life is undoubtedly our greatest asset as human beings.  As Dr. Paul once said: "If you can't protect life, then how can you protect liberty?" That is what we must ask ourselves when deciding on such a sensitive and controversial issue.      

Foreign Affairs

For far too long, America has named itself the police power of the world.  Whether it is a direct attack on the United States, or simply an implication of a government policy that we do not agree with, we have long felt the irrepressible urge to intervene.  During the Bush administration, illegal war was waged on Iraq.  When Barack Obama was running for the Presidency, he said that it was time to bring the troops home; that it was time for "change".  However, once he took office, his promises were rendered meaningless.  Thousands of more soldiers were sent overseas without any clear view as to when they would be coming home. 
Ron Paul, since the war began, has been against it.  He had recognized from  the very start that it was an illegal war, and that we had no business being stationed there.  The Iraqi government had no direct impact on us, and we should not have used our power to attempt to control the entire world.  He does feel, however, that we should take that power and use it to defend our own borders, particularly with Mexico.  Illegal immigration IS directly affecting America, and should be dealt with first and foremost.  Defend our own land, keep from being intrusive, and limit governmental power. Thus sums up Paul's platform. 

Economic Plan

Recently, President Obama has advocated his new plan, the American Jobs Act, which he claims will strengthen the economy by cutting spending and providing jobs for the unemployed.  Ron Paul has a plan as well: his "Plan to Restore America".  If it succeeds, it will cut over $1trillion in government spending by ending all foreign wars and slashing five cabinet departments. These include the departments of Energy, Commerce, Housing and Urban Development, Interior and Education.  He feels that, by limiting government interference in economic affairs, the economy can thrive and jobs will appear.  This differs greatly from President Obama's idea because of that one key factor.   Obama feels that a slacking economy calls for government to come in and "save people from the evils of the free market", as Dr Paul said.  However, more regulations  on our economic system stifle growth, and do not fix the current problem. 

Education

President Obama's "Race to the Top" plan is one of the largest (and most expensive) educational reforms in history.  It encourages states to participate in a "race" for federal recognition.  The goal is to encourage states to raise their educational standards by offering grants to those who are deemed to have improved the most.

Mitt Romney began by praising Obama's plan, and then began having second thoughts and changing his viewpoint on the issue (As he has done already in the past).  Herman Cain believes in the expansion of charter schools, and supports Obama's plan.

Ron Paul, ever endorsing the limitation of federal power, disagrees with this plan.  In fact, he disagrees with the entire Department of Education and plans to abolish it, feeling that decisions involving education should be determined on a state/local level.  This places more power in the hands of the states, and less in the hands of power-hungry bureaucrats in Washington DC.